The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is planning to build two small dams to address water scarcity.
City officials decided to start building two small dams, Shahdara and Chiniot, to tackle the water shortage problem in Islamabad.
It has been decided that starting from today (Thursday), the water supply from Simly Dam to Islamabad will be increased by eight million gallons per day (mgd). Despite being a rapidly growing city, Islamabad still depends on old water sources and reservoirs, which are now insufficient to meet the city’s water needs. The total water requirement of Islamabad, including both rural and urban areas, is around 250 million gallons daily (mgd), with the city’s requirement alone estimated to be 120 mgd.
At present, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) provides approximately 70 million gallons daily (mgd) from its three main sources: Simly Dam, Khanpur Dam, and tubewells.
Simly Dam currently supplies 26 mgd (which will be increased to 34 mgd starting today), while Khanpur Dam provides around nine mgd. The remaining water needs are met by tubewells and a few other minor water sources.
Chairing a meeting regarding the water crisis, CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa instructed the relevant department to start work immediately on the construction of Shahdara, Tarbela, Chiniot, and Khanpur dams to permanently resolve the water issue.
The Chiniot dam will be built in the catchment area of Simly Dam, while the Shahdara dam will be located on the Shahdara stream.
Additionally, instructions were given to commence work on the Khanpur Dam and Ghazi Barotha project. The CDA and Rawalpindi Cantonment Board receive water from Khanpur Dam via the Khanpur canal, but around 40% of the water is reportedly being stolen before reaching Islamabad’s water reservoir, Sangjani water works.
Expressing his concern over the water theft, the CDA Chairman directed officials to propose a solution by engaging with WAPDA and other relevant organizations.
The meeting also addressed the Ghazi Barotha project, proposed in 2007 to provide 100 mgd to Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Initially estimated at Rs 37 billion, its cost has now exceeded Rs 120 billion.
To address immediate water needs during summer, the CDA Chairman instructed an additional eight mgd water supply from Simly Dam, along with extending water supply duration in densely populated areas. Staff leave for the water supply wing was canceled, and tanker services were placed on high alert.
Furthermore, the chairman directed the submission of a proposal within three days for installing solar systems at water pumping stations to divert energy costs towards city development projects.
